May 28th. The day when dark hair celebrates victory. Brunette Day — unofficial, but beloved by millions of women around the world. Those with naturally black, chestnut, and chocolate curls can breathe a sigh of relief: today there's no need to dye your hair blonde. Today is our power. But where did this day come from? And what is there to be proud of for brunettes? We tell you with humor, facts, and a healthy dose of chauvinism towards light-haired heads.

Who invented Brunette Day

The history is blurred. It's likely that the celebration was born on social media in the early 2010s. Bloggers and communities of women with dark hair decided to create a counterpoint to Blonde Day (which is celebrated on May 31st). Blonde Day is more popular, even with a monument. Brunettes were offended: are we worse? And so, Brunette Day was born on May 28th.

According to another version, the initiative came from beauty salons to boost sales of tonics and masks for dark hair. A third version is mystical: May 28th is when the sun enters the sign of Gemini, and brunettes are considered as changeable as Geminis.

The day has no official status, but on Instagram and TikTok, May 28th is a flash mob. Thousands of brunettes post their photos with the hashtag #BrunetteDay.

Brunette vs Blonde: Myths and Truth

Stereotype: blondes are funnier, brunettes are intellectuals. In fact, research does not confirm a connection between hair color and personality. But! Research shows that brunettes seem more mysterious and serious to men, while blondes seem more open and accessible. This is a sociocultural myth that affects perception.

Brunettes are often attributed passion, jealousy, a tendency to drama. Think of Carmen or Cassandra from "The Beauty Queen of Lebanon." Blondes are attributed to light-heartedness and naivety (Marilyn Monroe). In fact, hair color does not determine personality. But people love to believe in stereotypes.

Why are there fewer brunettes? Because the gene for dark hair is dominant. About 75-80% of the world's population has auburn or dark hair. Blondes make up 2-5% (the rest are redheads and gray-haired). So, brunettes are the majority. And their day is the day of the majority.

Famous Brunettes We Are Proud Of

Actresses: Audrey Hepburn (although often blonde in movies, she was a light auburn in real life), Angelina Jolie, Monica Bellucci, Eva Green, Penelope Cruz, Natalie Portman, Keira Knightley, Milla Jovovich. Russian: Chulpan Hamatova, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Anna Mikhailova, Vera Brezhneva (natural brunette, dyes her hair).

Singers: Shakira (a brunette, although she sometimes dyes her hair blonde), Beyoncé (a natural brunette), Rihanna (auburn), Lana Del Rey. Russian: Zemfira, Valeria, Anna Sedokova.

Politicians, activists: Angela Merkel (a brunette, then gray), Hillary Clinton (auburn). Models: Naomi Campbell (Afro-brunette), Claudia Schiffer (auburn).

These women have proven that hair color does not hinder success.

How to Celebrate Brunette Day

Mainly on social media. Girls post selfies with the caption: "Today is my day. Brunettes rule." They gift each other toning shampoos, masks for dark hair, combs. In beauty salons, there are discounts on dyeing hair chocolate and black colors (irony: on Brunette Day, they dye their hair brunette).

Sometimes in clubs, they hold "Madame Noir" parties — dress code black, black food (octopus ink pasta), black cocktails (absinthe, cherry liqueur). Admission is only for brunettes, permanent and temporary.

There is a tradition: on this day, brunettes go to the movies with brunettes in the leading role. For example, "Maleficent" (Angelina Jolie) or "Black Swan" (Natalie Portman).

Men give flowers, chocolate, compliments to brunettes on this day. But don't overdo it, or they might think you've done something wrong.

Advantages of Brunettes

Dark hair looks healthier and shiner than dyed blonde straw (this is true). Gray hair on brunettes is more noticeable, but this can also be played — "salt and pepper" strands are now in style.

Brunettes look great with bold makeup: red lipstick, black eyeliner. The contrast is higher than with blondes. Brunettes rarely suffer from sunburned hair (pigment protects). Brunettes don't need to lighten their eyebrows — they are noticeable enough.

Brunettes are harder to imitate (light hair is easier to dye, and a natural dark color is hard to replicate perfectly). And finally, brunettes are not driven crazy by silly jokes about dumb blondes.

Why Brunettes Want to Be Blondes and vice versa

Paradox: on May 28th, they celebrate, and on May 29th, they run to the salon to dye their hair. Because the eternal search for oneself. Blondes want to feel mysterious, brunettes want to feel light. It's like with curly and straight hair.

Moreover, there was a fashion in different eras. The 1990s — blonde (Spice, Aguilera). The 2000s — brunette (Jolie, Becksinsale). The 2010s — everything. The 2020s — natural colors. Now, chestnut, chocolate, honey are in style. Brunettes are on the rise.

By the way, the most frequent customers of hairdressers are girls who dye their hair from brunette to blonde and vice versa every six months. Maybe they want to celebrate both holidays.

How to Celebrate Brunette Day If You're Blonde

Congratulate your brunette friend. Compliment: "Your hair is like chocolate, and mine is like Vermicelli." Don't be jealous. Don't dye your hair brunette on this day — it would be disrespectful to your natural color. Better show yourself in all your glory on Blonde Day, May 31st.

You can wear a brunette wig to the party — but warn that it's a game. Or draw yourself a pair of black mustaches with lipstick — a symbol of "I'm with you."

If you're a brunette and your girlfriend/wife/mother is blonde, give her chocolate wrapped as a brunette on May 28th and say: "You can be a brunette at will today." She will appreciate it.

Psychology of Color: Why Brunettes Seem Smarter

Research: people with dark hair are perceived as more competent, serious, and trustworthy. Blondes are perceived as more joyful and friendly, but less intelligent (a stereotype). Therefore, in business, it is recommended for women to dye their hair in dark tones to be taken seriously. Unfortunately, but it's true.

In movies, villains are often brunettes (Cruella De Vil, the Queen in "Snow White"), while the heroines are blondes. This reinforces the image. But there are exceptions: Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) — a brunette and a heroine.

It's important not to go overboard. Hair color does not determine your value. But on Brunette Day, you can play the role of a "seductive woman."

Gift Ideas for a Brunette on May 28th

Care for dark hair: shampoo for brunettes (with cocoa, squalene), mask with black pearl, macadamia oil. Red or wine-colored lipstick is ideal. Accessory: a comb made of horn (black). Perfume: with notes of chocolate, cherry, patchouli (dark scents).

Book: "Brunette in the Law" (detective), "Confession of a Brunette" (collection of short stories). WhatsApp sticker pack "Brunettes Rule." Don't give: whitening toothpaste (hint?), hair lightening spray (why?), blonde dolls.

You can simply invite her to a restaurant and order dark beer (black) and a chocolate cake. Brunettes love chocolate — right?

Conclusion: Being a Brunette Is Cool

May 28th is not a national holiday, not a day off. But it's a reason to smile and say to yourself: "My dark hair is my superpower." They are beautiful, healthy, mysterious. And you don't have to dye them blonde if you don't want to. If you do want to, tomorrow, May 29th. Today is Brunette Day. Go out in the sun, show off your hair. Let them shine.

And let blondes envy silently. May 31st is their day.

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